Last August, I whacked the toad pictured above with my crossbow. While taking out the garbage, some unseen animal of size scurried through the azaleas. I thought maybe a possum had been sniffing around the trash until I located the source of the ruckus.

A cane toad the size of my fist. Never had seen one before, but I recognized it as an invasive and potentially harmful amphibian. Sure, the PSE was overkill, but the other nearest available instruments would have disturbed the peace.

“The Giant Toad (a.k.a. Marine Toad or Cane Toad) is the largest of the frogs and toads found in Florida. The giant toad is not native to the United States. It was originally released in the U.S. in sugar cane fields to help control “white grubs,” larvae of pest Scarabaeidae. B. marinus became established in southern Florida as result of accidental release of about 100 specimens from the stock of a pet dealer at Miami airport in 1955, and by subsequent releases by pet dealers in the 1960s (Krakauer, 1968). Giant Toads are a highly predacious exotic species that will eat all types of native frogs and toads. This species is skilled at locating all types of food, they have even been known to eat pet food.

CAUTION: When this non-native species is threatened or handled, it secretes a highly toxic milky substance from its large parotoid glands at the back of its head, behind the ears. This secretion can burn your eyes, may irritate your skin, and can kill cats and dogs if they ingest the secretion.”

Two days later, my buddy Phillip sent me a pic of some breed of cichlid he caught in a local lake that I couldn’t, and still can’t, positively ID – thought it was brave he stuck his fingers in its mouth:

Then there are these bad boys proliferating across South Florida – they will regularly wind up in hunters’ bag limits before too long, methinks. The Egyptian Goose.

As Floridians we’ve become well-versed on the more news-worthy exotics – wild hogs, pythons, lionfish, for example – but there’s an extensive list of plants and animals that have been introduced and flourish in the Sunshine State. Over the last several years, the range and extent of damage these interlopers cause in Florida has come to the forefront. But, it’s not limited to this state.

Anyway, here’s a notice from FWC that this week is dedicated to spreading knowledge of the problem:

“Today is the first day of National Invasive Species Awareness Week and, just as invasive species can take over natural areas, they will be taking over our Facebook page … but in a good way! This week we will highlight projects to manage invasive species and point out ways you can help. Invasive species know few boundaries and can walk, swim, slither, fly and grow their way into many habitats. An invasive species, usually nonnative, is one that spreads into an area and causes harm to native species, poses a threat to human health and safety, or causes economic damage.”

For FWC’s roster of nonnative species, please click here. It’s shocking the variety of life on this list.

About This Blog

Ian Nance is a lifelong resident of Central Florida with a passion for hunting and just about anything related. Associate Member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association. Check back weekly for hunting stories, news, tips, and wild game recipes. Feel free to leave comments or e-mail topics you would like to see addressed here. Contact at inance880@aol.com or follow on Twitter @good_hunt